Pattern mechanism for circular knitting machines



May 19, 1931. H. E. HOUSEMAN 1,805,697

PATTERN MECHANISM FOR CIRCULAR KNITTING MACHINES v Original Filed May 20, 1926 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 ['Tm l 30 o F I f v d o I a 3 3/ 3 0 Q g I I I4 5 I,- Q

N 62 I 52 I F/a W/rA/Ess: I I I A flaro/c/ ELEV (lasezrzazz film M d? H. E. HOUS'EMAN May 19, 1931. 1,805,697

PATTERN MECHANISM FOR CIRCULAR KNITTING ommas Original Fild May 20, 1926 I5 Sheets-Sheet 2 flare/d Ho sem nun/55s; @im..

May 19, 1931. 1,805,697

PATTERN MNcNA'NIsM FOR CIRCULAR KNITTING MACHINES -l. HOUSEMAN 3 Original Filed May 20, 1926 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 -(m nen-leptonas nee iik laaimy v t Y t was, Serial no. Moa

application is. a division of afgh- "cation filed'by me "May 20, 1926, Seria 110,311, Patent'N0. 1,769,'5,.80. -In said applllication' is disclosed a completemachine for ittin hosiery of multicolored patterns, partic arly stripedhosiery. The said machine comprises, certainnovel yarn carrier operating devices, and also certain pattern and selectin mechanism which control the.

operationo the. am carrier operatingde vices. Thesai'd" evices, which are operable from the driving means, are rendered differentially; operativehy selecting means, which are in-t'urn controlledby a pattern chain,

Y their movementin one direction,

and posit oned by the selector, and in their reverse movement o erate the yarn carrlers.

.tory means that also operates t which is ,..preferably operated t e yarn car- The said :devices', in

rier operating. devices.

are engaged :The needle cylin er is, adapted, to rotate and oscillate as usual. Means are operated from themachine drive to cause the pattern and selecting mechanismto operate upon said yarn carrier operating devices during rotaftion, to render saidmechanism inoperative to of the heel, and to render the Sc ticularly operate upon'said. devices during oscillation, to stop the pattern chain duringtheknitting ecting means inoperative by the. pattern chain at' the beginning of tee knitting and to subsequently stop the patternzchainat a definite point.

The-pattern chain is so carried "on' the Ina- .chine that it can be readily removed-"and another pattern chain substituted; the new pattern chain, fnot' adjusted by hand, being advanced by 1ts drive and then subsequently stopped atthe said definitepoint.

The means for differentially operating the yarn carrier operating devices including parthepattern and se acting, mechanism, is obviously not limited in its utility to am carriers, but

" is applicable to the operation or control of v a that may cooperate in the in various other "ways.

devices" that control. or 0 crate mechanism The --subject-matter of this applicationcomprisesthe pattern, se-

' lectingand driving mechanism for jsuch device's"; the various other t am-res oi -novelty 1iaaosjjmaonzxn or wmmeroE-D recipr'ocaitting operation shaft of aooemunor assranoa'ro W E. IA oom'om'non -thejdrawin'gs,in whicha 'Fig. tie a plan view ofthe Fig. 2Lis toward .the'other side of themachine.

. mew unmaiirsfi roa gamma a f Be'flifljo. nsidenitiate and this'application filed Junejfi'? disclosed infthe parent application being therein'claimed. In order, however, to dis- 1910a a nseful application of the, invention hereiiifclaimed, the niachineof the parent ap plicatlon, showing the adaptation of the in; vane-en to the operation andcontrol of yarncarriers, is herein descrihed,.and shown in V a side elevation of the same lookin toward one side of the machine.

ig.-3 is a side elevation, artly in section, of the yarn changing mec anism, looking 1 Figs. 4 and 5 are similar views ofa portion I of the" mechanism shown in Fig. 3, with the parts in .difierent positions.

Fig-fl is a re'arelevation of the vic f 0 actuating the yarn fingers and yarn. finger NF 7 I. t tamers, the selector, the pattern chain, andrassociated mechanis Fig.7 is an enlargedcross-sectiohthronghf1 the foam disc of the machine on line '6, Fi'g. 2.i 13

Fig; 8 is a perspective view of the cams for primaril{\controllingthe .operationfof. the 5 am, looking in the direction" of pattern c arrow, Fig. 7.

9 and 10 are detail views of the niech- 811181113 for immediately controlling the openation'of the pattern chain. a

[a is the needle cylinder vofacircular knit ting machine; This cylinder may be driven from the main shaft so as to have imparted to it a movement of continuous rotation or a movement of oscillation, as is well known.

in theart. Any known mechanism for so operating the cylinder and for shifting, and forcontrolling the shift, {from rotation to oscillation and vice versa may be employed,

as, example, the: mechanism shown in the patent issued to me December 24,1918, NO.

In the present case, I have shown a main driving shaft 1: which, through a hevelpinion c,--drives,a'be'vel gear d.- The latter carries a spnrjgearewhich drives a pinion e on the a wheelxf. From: the, latter the through levers 12 and 11.

needle cylinder is driven by means not See Figs. 3. and 6. y

The machine is equipped with any desired number of yarn fingers 10. Five are shown, three being used for striping and operated in accordance with my invention. Each yarn finger is pivotally su ported on a suitable art of the machine rame and is normally eld out of o eraiive position, as shown in full lines in ig. 3, by a spring 13. In the specific construction shown, each finger 1O gears with a pivoted lever 11, whose free end extends between the forks of a'rock lever 12, which is normally held, by the spring 13, in sition to hold finger 10 out of action. Each ever 12 is positively operable, by a corresponding lever 14 pivoted on the frame, to swing yarn finger 10 down intoaction.

Each yarn finger 10 is provided with two notches, one or the other of which (dependent on whether the finger is moved up out of action or down into action) is engagedby a retainer lever suitably pivoted on the shown.

frame and maintained in holding position by a spring 21. Pivoted on the same axis as lever 20 is a frame 22 having a hooked end 23 (extending under the free ends of levers 20) and-a depending arm'24, the end of which is shown in Figs. 3, 4 and 5 and the whole of which is shown in Fig. 2. The main function of the retaining levers 20 is to hold in active position the corresponding yarn finger 10 after it is depressed by the lever 14 acting Pivotall mounted on the machine frame is a latera y extendingv bell crank lever 31 (see Figs. 1 and 6), one arm of which has a pin which rides in a cam groove in gear wheel f, which imparts to lever 31 a constant reciprocatory movement. The other arm of the reciprocating lever 31 carries an upright arm 32 having a laterally extending end on which are pivoted a series of devices 33 each shaped like a bell crank (see Figs. 3, 4 and 5). These devices 33 operate the respective levers 14 but are normally held, by springs 34, in such position, as shown in Fig. 3, that, in their forward swinging movement, they do not engage levers 14. If, however, any one of the devices 33, in its movement of recession, is tilted to the position shown in Fig. 4, then, in its next forward movement, it actuates the corresponding lever 14, as shown in Fig. 5, thereby moving down into action the corresponding yarn finger 10. During such forward movement of device 33, its forward bevelled end slides over and above the rear bevelled end of lever 14, the upward tilting movement of device 33 being limited by a stop 39.

The arm 32 of reciprocating lever 31 also carries a pivoted bell crank lever 35, which at one end carries a cross-bar 36 and at its other end carries an adjustable screw 37. Lover 35 is normally held in inoperative po- 32, lever35 strikes the end of arm 24, tilting frame 22 and lifting all the retaining levers 20, thus allowing any yarn carrier that has been previously down in operative position to be swung up into inoperative position by its correspondlng spring 13.

On the next receding movement of arm 32, lever 35 first recedes from arm 24, allowing springs 21 to move the retaining levers 20 again into engagement with the respective yarn fingers 10, thereby holding in operative (position the yarn carrier that has been move into action.

- The described parts are so positioned that the tilted device 33 effects a movement into. operative position of the corresponding yarn finger 10 appreciably before the lever 35 effects the lifting of the retaining levers 20, so that, for an appreciable time (say one two hundredths of a second and while the needle cylinder is revolving throughout an arc subtending four needles), two yarn fin ers are simultaneously in action. This e ects an overlap of yarn in the fabric being knit. The movement of one yarn finger into operation just before the withdrawal of another yarn finger is common in the art; but in addition to this mode of operation, the above described construction affords a ready means of predetermining exactly the length of the overlap, such means being the screw 37, by whose adjustment the exact movement of withdrawal of the retaining levers 20 after the move ment into operation of a yarn finger can be accurately controlled.

.The tilting of the devices 33 is effected by means of a selector 40 shown in Figs. 2. 3, 4, 5 and 6. Selector 40 is movable into a number of difi'erent positions,'as shown in Fig. 6. Except when a yarn change is to be made, the selector is in an inoperative position (one of the broken line positions). During rotary1 knitting, selector 40 normally occupies t e broken line position at the right, Fi 6. During the oscillation of the needle cy inder while knitting a plain heel or toe, it occu ies one of the broken line positions at the le t. When, however during rotary knitting, it is desired to effect a yarn change, the selector is shifted to a position behind one of the tiltable devices 33. In Fig. 6 it is shown as behind the middle one of the devices 33. In the receding movement of arm 32, after selector 40 has been so positioned, the middle one of the devices 33 is tilted, from the osition shown in Fig. 3, to that shown in ig. 4, so as to position it to subsequently efiect the movement intooperative 20, as above described. Selector {L0 is under tension of a spring 41 to llow devlce 33 to slightly tilt the selector backward in the 1 completion of the receding movement of arm 32 to allow the front bevel 'of device 33 to override and, in the beginning of its succeedadvance m0vement,just overlap the rear bevel operative position. During this advance movementof arm 32, the selector is shifted to the right, Fig. 6, out of alignmentwith the devices 33, so that on the next receding movementv of arm 32, the justactuated device 33 will return to the inoperative position shown sitions a bell crank lever 42 carrying the selector 40 and shift it from the broken hne po-.

sit-ion shown at the right in Fig. 6 to a position back of the first. second or third of the devices 33, dependent on whetherthc operating pattern chain lug is alow lug. a medium lug, or a high'lug. The pattern chain is operated by a sprocket wheel 52 carrying a ratchet wheel 53. which is engaged by a pawl 54. (see Figs. 6. 9 and 10') ,on the rccipr( cating lever 31. I Thereby. as above stated. lever 31 carries the devices 33 that effect the selective operation of the several yarn fingers l0 and also imparts a step-hy-stcp movement. to pattern mechanism controlling the selector 40 that selectively actuates devices 33.

ln the shift from rotation to oscillation. preparatory to knitting the heel. it is necessary to arrest the movement of the pattern chain so that, on thereturn to rotation and "the'resumption of circular web .knitting, the

pattern in the front of the web will be continued where it'left ofi at'the conclusion of the previous period of rotation. The movement of the pattern chain is arrested. in a very simple. manner, by means of a pawl guard 61, which is lifted from a position-below that shown in Fig. 9 (Where it does not afi'ect thepawl 54) to the position shown in Fig. 10, in which position it lifts the pawl 54 out of action, Pawl guard ()1 is lifted by the lifting of lever above the position towhich it is lifted by the highest lug on the pattern chain. \Vhen lever 60 is so lifted. it

swings theselector-carrying lever 42 into the extreme left-hand broken line position shown of the corresponding lever 14, as 7 shown in Fig. 4-, and thus set the device 3.3 111 Fig. 6, which is one of the inoperative positions ofthe selector.

Thisjhigh lifting of lever 60 is effect-ed by means of a cam '71 carried by a pattern disc" 70. See Figs. .7 and 8. This pattern disc may be intermittently operated from themachine drive b any suitable means, as. for ex- 'ample, that s own in the patent issued to me June 4,1921, No. 1,364,112. i The term pattern disc is intended to include any device carrying the cam 71 (and the cams 72 and 73 hereinafter described) and which is operable in proper sequence'relative to the means for vice versa. Cam 71, it will be understood, operates lever (30 at the beginning of the shift from rotation, to oscillation prepara tory to knitting the heel and releases lever 60 at the conclusion of such oscillating.

period.

In timed relation to the shift from rota-- started. it is necessary to restart the pattern chain. It is obviously desirable, however.

to startthe pattern at the beginning and therefore the pattern chain should not be arrested until. it is brought to the definite position that it must occupy in order to start changing from rotationto oscillation, and

the pattern at the beginning. To effect this operation of stopping and restarting in timed relation to the said sh fts, 1t is necessary to restart'the pattern chain at a definite course of knitting: but the time of arrest of the.

pattern chain preceding such restarting will vary with the position of the pattern chain after theyarn lingers used for striping are moved out of action preparatory to knitting the toe: and such arrest may occur during rotation immediately preparatory to the shift to oscillation or during such oscillation, while the restart. of the pattern chain will occurafterrotation is resumed. This will be clearfrom the following explanation.

Preparatory to knitting the toe, it is customary to knit several plain round courses. In the present machine, therefore, it is arranged that all the yarn carriers used for striping shall be moved out of action preparatory to knitting these plain round courses: and'it. is arranged that the pattern chain shall thereafter continue to advance until it is brought to the definite position that it must occupy in order to start the pattern at the beginning and shall not be arrested until it is brought to that position. This movement of arrest may occur while the min chine is knitting plain round courses or after the subsequent shift from rotation to oscillation and while it is knitting the toe -alependent on the length of chain that must be advanced until the chain is brought to such definite position.

After the toe is completed and the machine is reshifted from oscillation to rotation. it is customary to knit several looper rounds and. after transferring, to knit severalrouuds of plain knitting and then restart the pattern. In the present machine,

therefore. it is arranged, after the desired number of rounds of plain knitting. to restart the chain and thereby restart the knit-' ting of thepatterned part of the stocking.

To effect the above described operation, I provide devices on the pattern'chain and lever 60 which cooperate to stop the chain at the proper point, and to thereafter restart the chain, as will now be described;

Preparatory to knitting the plain round courses preceding the toe, a cam 79 on pattern disc 70 engages lever 60 and swings it into the position shown in Fig. 9, whereat lever 0 is shown lifted high enough to allow 'the lugs on the pattern chain to travel under the lever 60 but not so high as, to h it guard 61.

high enough to prevent the continuedratcheting oi the patternwhccl by the pawl 54. (In this position of lever 60, lever 42 is swung into the broken line position next.- to the extreme broken line position at the left in Fig; 6.) In this position of lever .60, an a-rrester canr62 on lever 60 brought into such position that a shifter or set-up pin 55 (Fig. 6). on the pattern chain will (at the point at-which it is desired to stop the patf tern chain) underride arm 62 and lift lever (iO into the position shownin Fig. 10, at which position, ashereinbefore explained, and as Fig. 10 clearly shows, guard 61 will lift pawl 54 out of operative position. It will remain in this position even after cam 72 rides beyond lever 60. After the knitting of thetoe is completed and after the shift from oscillation to rotation and after the previously described round courses are knit, an extra high ram 73 rules under lever 60 and hits it in a position higher than any hereinbefore described and sufficiently high to cause a second pawl 6 (carried by lever to engage the ratchet 53 and advance the pattern chain one stop, the pin 55 then riding beyond arm (32. Immediately thereafter cam 73 rides beyond lever (50, permitting lever to return to its normal position, in which position I pawl guard 61 drops down into operative poadjusting screw 81 carried by lever 80. The

clamp and cutter mechanism may be the same as that set forth in an application filed by me June 19. 1925,,Serial No. 38,162.

' It will be noted that the described pattern mechanismcomprises-the pattern chain 50 and the cams on the disc. and that the cam-carrying disc acts as a primary pattern mechanism and that thechain acts as a secondarypattern mechanism. Obviously these two pattern mechanisms need not be respectively'a disc and a chain, as equivalent pattern devices are known in the art.

, Onenotable advantage of a machine embodying my invention is that-a change of pattern may be made very quickly. In the ordinary knitting machine, a change of pattern involves the stopping of the machine for. several hours while the pattern mechanism is being adjusted to knit a new pattern. In my machine it is only necessary to. slip off one chain and substitute another chain the lugs of which were arranged to dictate the knitting of a new pattern while the machine was in operation. This change occupies but a. few seconds and, indeed, may be effected while the machine is knitting the toe. Moreover, the chain need not be accurately positioned, because it will automatically properly position itself by the engagement of the described cooperating devices 55 and 62 on the pattern chain and lever 60 respectively.

Having now fully described my invention, what I claim and desire .to protect by Letters Patent is: I

1. In a circular knitting machine, thecombination with mechanism adapted to cooperate in the knitting operation and to be selectively operated, of a set of independently operable devices adapted to selectively operate said mechanism, operating means carrying said devices, selecting means which are adapted to be engaged by and position said devices as they are 'moved by their operating means, and pattern mechanism adapted to move the selecting means into position to selectively position said devices so that, in their subsequent operation by their operating means, they will selectively operate saidv mechanism.

2. In a circular knittin machine, the combination with a set of di erentiallypositionable devices, of pattern mechanism, a contrivance adapted to operate said pattern mechanism and carry said devices, selecting means operable from the pattern mechanism and adapted to be moved into position to differentially position said devices as they are moved by said contrivance, and means to operate said contrivance.

3. In a circular knitting machine, the combination with a set of independently operable devices, of means adapted to operate said devices, said means comprising a contrivance carrying said devices and a selector adapted to render any of said devices operative, and pattern mechanism actiiable by said contrivance and adapted to actuate said selector.

4. In a circular knitting machine, the combination with independently operable devices,

of a selector-adapted to be shifted into positions to selectively operate said devices, pattern mechanism adapted to shift the'selector into different operative positions, and means to continuously reciprocate said devices, said continuous reciprocation effecting the operation by the selector-of the device that is in operative relation therewith.

' bination with devices which are both continuously reciprocable and independently shiftable into operative and inoperative positions,

means to reciprocate said devices, a selector adapted to be moved into position to selectively shift said devices, 1n their movement in one direction, into operative position to be actuable in their movement in the otherdirection, and pattern mechanism adapted to shift the selector into different operative positions.

7. In a circular knitting machine, the

combination with devices independently movable into operative position, of a selector adapted to be shifted into positions to selectively shift said devices into operative positions, pattern mechanism, means operated by the-pattern mechanism to shift the selector into different operative positions, and continuously reciprocating mechanism adapted, in its movement in one direction, to actuate the pattern mechanism to shift the selector. and in its movement in the other direction to cause the selector to selectively move said devices into operative positions, and in its movement again in the first direction to cause said devices to operate.

- 8. In a circular knitting machine, the combination with a rotatable and oscillatable needle cylinder, of a set of separably' operable devices, pattern mechanism, selective means controlled by the pattern mechanism and operable thereby to selectively control the operatio'n'of said devices, driving means and mechanism operable therefrom to rotate and oscillate the needle cylinder, means operable from the driving means to impart an intermittent movement to said pattern mechanism, and means operable from the driving means to arrest the intermittent movement of-the pattern mechanism in a change from rotation to oscillation without stopping the machine.

9. In a circular knitting machine, the combination withdevices whose operation is to be selectively controlled, of pattern mechanism and means operable thereby to selectively control the operation of said devices, dri-vm'g means and mechanism operable therefrom to rotate and oscillate the needle cylinder, a pawl and ratchet adapted to operate said pattern mechanism, means operable from the driving means to operate said pawl, a pawl guard, and means operable from the driving means, in a change from rotation to oscillation, to move said guard and render the pawl, while it continues to operate, inoperative to drive the ratchet and the pat tern mechanism.

10. In a circular knitting machine, the

combination with devices whose operation is to be selectively controlled, of secondary pat tern mechanism and means operated thereby to selectively control the operation of said devices, driving means and mechanism operable therefrom to rotate and oscillate the needle cylinder, a pawl and ratchet mechanism adapted to operate the secondary pattern mechanism, means operable from the driving means to operate the pawl, a pawl guard adapted to render the pawl inoperative, primary pattern mechanism operable from the driving means and com rising a cam, and a lever operable from said cam and adapted to move said pawl guard into operative positions, said cam engaging said lever during one of the periods of the oscillation of the needle cylinder 11. In a circular knitting machine, the

combination with a rotatable needle cylinder, of selectively operable devices, pattern mechanism, selective means controlled by the pattern mechanism and operable thereby to selectively control the operation of said devices, driving means and mechanism operable therefrom to rotate and oscillate the needle cylinder, means operable from the driving means to impart an intermittent movement to said pattern mechanisnnand means to arrest the intermittent movement of the pattern mechanism after the pattern mechanism has reached a predetermined point in its intermittent movement, said arresting means comprising cooperative de-' vices respectively operable from the driving means and carried by the-pattern mecha-- nism, said' arresting means eing rendered inoperative in the subsequent change from oscillation to rotation.

12. In a circular knitting machine, the combination with a rotatable needle cylinder, ofselectively operable devices, pattern mechanism, selective means controlled by the pattern mechanism and operable thereby to selectively control the operation of said devices, driving means and mechanism operable therefrom to rotate and oscillate the needle cylinder, means operable from the driving means to impart an intermittent movement to said pattern mechanism, means to arrest the intermittent movement of the pattern mechanism after the pattern mechanism has reached a predetermined point in its intermittent movement, said arresting means comprising cooperative devices respectively operable from the driving means and carried by the pattern mechanism, and

another device operable from the driving combination with a rotatable needle cylinder,

ofselectively operable devices, pattern mechanism, selective means controlled by the pattern mechanism and operable thereby to selectively control the operation of said devices,,driving means and mechanism operable therefrom to rotate and oscillate the needle cylinder, means operable from the driving means to impart a step-by-step movement to said pattern mechanism, and means to arrest-the step-by-step movement of the pattern mechanism after the pattern mechanism has reached a predetermined point in its. step-by-step movement, said arresting means comprising cooperative devices respectively operable from the driving means and carried by the pattern mechanism, and means to subsequently render said arresting means inoperative.

14. In a circular knitting machine, the combination with a rotatable needle cylinder, of selectively operable devices, pattern mechanism, selective means controlled by the pat tern mechanism and operable thereby to selectively control the operation of-said devices, riving means and mechanism operable therefrom to rotate and oscillate vthe needle cylinder, a pawl and ratchet adapted to operate said pattern mechanism, means operable from the driving means to operate saidpawl, a pawl guard, and devices operable respectively by the pattern mechanism and the driving means and adapted, after the pattern mechanism has reached a predetermined point in its movement, to cooperate to move said guardinto position to render said-pawl inoperative to drive the ratchet and the pattern mechanism.

15. In a circular knitting machine, the combination with a rotatable needle cylinder, of selectively operable devices, pattern mechanism, selective means controlled by the pattern mechanism and operable thereby to selectively control the operation of said devices, driving means and mechanism operable therefrom to rotate and oscillate the needle cylinder, a pawl and ratchet adapted to operate said pattern mechanism, means operable from the driving means to operate said pawl, a pawl guard, devices operable respectively by the pattern mechanism and the driving means adapted, after the pattern mechanism has reached a predetermined 16. In a circular knitting machine, the

combination with a rotatable needle cylinder,

of selectively operable devices, pattern mechanism, selective means controlled by the pattern mechanism and operable thereby to selectively control the operation of said devices, driving means and mechanism operable therefrom to rotate and oscillate the needle cylinder, a pawl and ratchet adapted to operate the pattern mechanism, means operable from the driving means to operate said pawl, a pawl guard adapted to render the pawl inoperative, a shifter carried by said pattern mechanism, primary pattern mechanism operable from the drlvin means and comprising a cam, a lever opera le from said cam and adapted to be moved thereby into position to be subsequently engaged by said shifter and thereby to be given a further movement to move said pawl guard into operative position.

17. In a needle knitting machine, the combination with a rotatable needle cylinder, of selectively operable devices, pattern mechanism, selective means controlled by the pat- 1 tern mechanism and operable thereby to selectively control the operation of said devices, driving means and mechanism operable therefrom to rotate and oscillate the needle cylinder, a pawl and ratchet adapted to operate thepattern mechanism, means operable from the driving means to operate said pawl, a pawl guard adapted to render the pawl inoperative, a shifter carried by said pattern mechanism, primary pattern mechanism operable from the driving means and comprising a cam, a lever operable from said cam and adapted to be moved thereby into posit-ion to be subsequently engaged by said shifter and thereby to be given a further movement to move said pawl guard into operative position, a second pawl operable from said lever and adapted to restart the pattern mechanism, the primary pattern mechanism comprising also a second cam operable subsequently to impart a still further movement to said lever and thereby effect the actuation of the second pawl and a disengagement of said shifter and lever.

18 In a circular knitting machine. the combination with a rotatable needle cylinder, of selectively operable devices, pattern mechanism, selective means controlled by the'pattern mechanism and operable thereby to selectively control the operation of said devices, driving means and mechanism operable therefrom to rotate and oscillate the needle cylinder, means operable from the driving means to impart an intermittent -movement to said pattern mechanism, and stop mechamsm operable from the driving means to arrestthe intermittent l'IlOVOll'lQnl'. of thepattern mechanism in one change from rotation to oscillation and to arrest the intermittent. movement of the pattern mechanism in timed relation to another change from vrotation to oscillation when said pattern mechanism reaches a predetermined point in its intermittent movement.

19. I In a circular knitting machine, the combination with a rotatable needle cylinder. of

selectively operable devices. pattern mechanism, selective means controlled by the pattern mechanism and operable thereby to selectively control the operation of said devices, driving means and mechanism operable therefrom to rotate and oscillate the needle cylinder, means operable from the driving means to impart an intermittent movement to said pattern mechanism. stop mechanism operable from the driving meansv to render said pattern mechanism operating means inoperative in one change from rotation to oscillation and to render said pattern mechanism operating means inoperative in timed relation to another change trom rotation to oscillation when said pattern mechanism reaches a predetermined point in its subsequent movement. said stop mechanism being rendered inoperative in timed relation to changes from oscillation to rotation.

' 20. In a circular knittingmachine. the combination with selcctivelv operable devices. of selecting means controlling the operationof said devices, a lever adapted to operate the selecting means. pattern mechanism comprising lugs adapted to operate said lever, means to operate the pattern mechanism. means to move said lever to such position th at said lugs will not operate it and whereby the selecting means is at the same time rendered inoperative. and means including the pattern chain itself adapted to subsequently render the driving means for the pattern mechanism inoperative.

21 In a circular knitting machine. the combination with devices adapted to independent operation, of secondary pattern mechanism controlling the operation of said devices. mechanism to drive the secondary pattern mechanism, primary pattern mechanism, and meansoperable by the primary pattern mechanism to render the secondary pattern mechanism. while being driven. inoperative to control the operation of said devices, the secondary'pattern mechanism being also adapted to positively so operate said means as to arrest the movementof the secondary pattern mechanism.

22. Ina circular knitting machine, in combination, a plurality of chains of levers,a

reciprocatory member carrying the lever of each chain that. is adapted to actuate another lever of the same chain, aselector adapted to move the first lever of any chain into actuating position, means to operate the reciproca-tory member, and pattern mechanism adapted to posit ion the selector.

23. In a circular knitting machine, the combinationwitli drivingmcans and mechanism operable. tl'icretroin, of selecting means movable into diii'crcnt positions to render said mechanism selectively operative, a pattern device operable from the driving means and controlling the operation of the selector, the pattern device being removable and replaceable by another similar pattern device adapted to produce a different operation of the selecting means, means to render the selecting means inoperative to render said mechanism operative without arresting the operation of the pattern device from the driving means, and means subsequently actuable by the pattern device to arrest its own movement at a definite point.

24. In a circular knitting machine, the combination with mechanism adapted to cooper-' 'ate in the knitting operation, of a pattern device, driving means and connections adapt-- ed to alternately rotate and oscillate the needle cylinder and also to operate said mechanism and said pattern device, selecting means movable into difi'erent positions to render said mechanism selectively operative, means controlling the operation of the selector by the pattern device,.the pattern device being removable and replaceable by another similar pat-tern device adapted to produce a difierent operation of the selecting means, and means to render the pattern device inoperative during oscillation of the needle cylinder and to render it again operative upon resumption of rotation ofthe needle cylinder.

25. In a circular knitting machine, the combination with driving means and of different mechanisms operable directly thereby, of selecting means independent of said mechanisms but movable into different positions to selectively render any of said mech-.. anisms operable by said driving means, a pattern device controlling the position of the selecting means and operable from said driving means, the pattern device comprising a chain and lugs thereon of different heights and being readily removable, while the selector remains undisturbed, and replaceable by another pattern chain adapted to produce a different operation of the selecting means.

26. In a circular knitting machine, the combination with a rotatable cylinder and other mechanism adapted to cooperate in 1 the knitting operation, driving means and connections therefrom adapted to alternate ly rotate and oscillate said cylinder and connections therefrom adapted to operate said mechanism, said mechanism including a plurality of elements of a single selector movable into an operable position with relationto anyone of said elements. a secondary pattern device controlling the position of the selector, and a primary pattern device controlling the operation of the secondarypattern device, the secondary pattern device being removable and replaceable by another similar secondary pattern device without stopping the machine while said cylinder is beingoscil lated by the speciticd connections from the driving means.

27. Ina circular knitting machine, the combination with a rotatable cylinder and other mechanism adapted to cooperate. in the knitting operation. driving means and connections therefrom adapted to alternately rotate and oscillate said cylinder and connections therefrom adapted to operate said mechanism, of selecting means movable into different positions to render said mechainsm selectively operable, a secondary pattern device controlling the position of the selecting means, and a primary pattern device controlling the operation of the secondary pattern device. the secondary pattern device being removable and replaceable by another similar secondary pattern device without stopping'the machine while said cylinder is being oscillated by the specified connections from the driving means, and means to arrest the movement of the substituted sgwoudary pattern device and properly position it for operation following the subsequent shift from oscillation to rotation.

28. In a circular knitting machine. the combination with driving means and mechanism operable. therefrom. of selecting means movable into ditlerent positions to render said mechanism sehrctively operative. a pat tern device operable from the driving means and controlling the operation of the selecting means, the. pattern device comprising a turnable member and a pattern element which is ren'iovable and replaceable. without stopping the machine, by another similar pattern element adapted to produce a different opera tion of the selecting means. and means subscquently actuable by the substituted pattern element to stop the movement of the turnable member and arrest its own movement at a definite point.

2!). In a circular knitting machine. the combination with driving means and mcchzu nism operable therefrom. of selecting means movable into different positions to render said mechanisn'i selectively operative. a pattern device operable from the driving means and controllii'ig the operation of the selecting means. the pattern device comprising a turnable member and a pattern element which is removable aml replaceable. without stopping the machine. by another similar pattern element adapted to produce a different operation of the selecting means, a primary pattern-device, means operable therefrom to control the operation of the turnable member, and means carried by the substituted pattern element adapted to cooperate with the means operable from the primary pattern device to stop the movement of the turnable member and arrest the movement of the substituted element at a definite point.

30. In a circular knitting machine, the combination with devices adapted to cooperate in the knitting operation, secondary pattern mechanism controlling the operation of said devices, means to drive the secondary pattern mechanism, primary pattern mechanism, and means operable by said primary pattern mechanism to render the secondary pattern mechanism inoperative, while it continues being driven. to control the operation of said devices, and by the secondary pattern mechanism to render its own driving means inoperative to drive.

31. In a circular knitting machine. the con'ibination with devices adapted to independent operation, of primary pattern mechanism and secondary pattern mechanism, mechanism to drive the secondary pattern mechanism. means. interposed between the two pattern mechanisms and also between the two pattern mechanisms and said devices, operable by the secondary pattern mechanism to both control the operation of said devices and to render said driving mechanism inoperative to drive the secondary pattern mechanism. and being also operable by the primary pattern mechanism to again render said driving mechanism operative.

32. In a circular knitting machine. the combination with devices adapted to independent operation and whose operation is controlled by pattern mechanism, means to drive said pattern mechanism, said pattern mechanism comprising primary pattern mechanism and secondary pattern mechanism, a lever operable directly by the primary pattern mechanism to render the secondary pattern mechanism, While continuing to be driven. inoperative to operate said devices. said lever being also operable directly by the secondary pattern mechanism to arrest the movement of the secondary pattern mechanism, said lever being also operable by the primary pattern mechanism to render said driving means again operative to drive the secondary pattern n'nechanism.

In a. circular knitting machine. the combination with devices adapted to independent opcration, of prin'iary pattern mechanism and secondary pattern mechanism, a lever interposed between the two pattern mechanisms and also between the two pattern mechanisms and said devices, means to drive the secondary pattern mechanism, said lever being operable directly by each pattern ll'lGCl'ltlIllSll'l to control the operation of said devices and being also operable bythe secondary pattern mechanism and being also operable by the primary pattern mechanism to render said driving means again operative [t0 drive the secondary pattern mechanism.

34. In a circular knitting machine, the. combination with a needle cylinder and other mcchanisn'i adapted to cooperate. with the needles during relative rotation oroscillation of the cylinder and mechanism, of a set o'lf'. separably operable devices, pattern mechanism, selective means controlled by the pat-- tern mechanism and operable thereby to selectively control the operation of said devices, driving means and mechanism operable therefrom to relatively rotate and oscillate the needle cylinder and cooperating mechanism. means operable from the driving means to impart an intermittent movement. to said pattern mechanism. and means ope"- Y able from the driving means to arrest the intermittent movement of the pat-tern mechanism in a change from rotation to oscillation without stopping the mechanism.

35. In a circular knitting machine. the combination with a needle cylinder and other mechanism adapted to cooperate with the needles during relative rotation or oscillation' of the cylinder and mechanism. of selectively operable devices. pattern mechanism, selective means controlled'by the pattern mechanism and operable thereby to selectively control the operation of said devices, driving means and mechanism operable therefrom to relatively rotate and oscillate the needle cylinder and cooperating mechanism, means operable from the driving means to impart an intermittent movement to said pattern mechanism, and means to arrest the intermittent movement of the pattern mecha nism after the pattern mechanism has reached a predetermined point in its intermittent movement, said arresting means comprising cooperative devices respectively operable from the driving means and carried by the pattern meehanism,'said arresting means being rendered inopm'ativo in the subsequent change from oscillation to rotation.

36. In a circular knitting machine, the combination with a needle cylinder and other mechanism adapted to cooperate with the needles during relative rotation or oscillation of the cylinder and mechanism, of selectively operable devices, pattern mechanism, selective means controlled by the pattern mechanism and operable thereby to selectively control the operation of said devices,

driving means and mechanism operable therefrom to relatively rotate and oscillate the needle cylinder and cooperating mechanism, means operable from the driving means to impart an intermittent movement to said pattern mechanism, means to arrest the intermittent movement of the pattern mechanism after the pattern mechanism has reached a predetermined point in its intermitte'nt movement, said arresting means comprising'cooperative devices respectively operable from the driving means and carried by the pattern mechanism, and another device operable from the driving means to render said arresting means inoperative and positively restart the atlern mechanism.

'37. In a circular linitting machine, the combination with a needle cylinder and oth- .er mechanism adapted to cooperate with the needles during relative rotation or oscillation of the cylinder and mechanism, of selectively operable devices, pattern mechanism, selective means controlled by the pattern mechanism and operable thereby to selectively control the operation of said devices, driving means and mechanism operable therefrom to relatively rotate and oscillate the needle cylinder and cooperating mechanism, means operable from the driving means to impart a step-by-step movement to said pattern mechanism, and means to arrest the step-by-step movement of the pattern mechanism after the pattern mechanism has reached a predetermined point in its stepb v -step movement, said arresting means comprising cooperative devices respectively operable from the driving means and carried by the pattern mechanism, and means to subseqnently render said arresting means inoperative.

In a circular knitting machine, the con'ibination with a needle cylinder and other mechanism adapted to cooperate with the needles during relative rotation or oscillation of the cylinder and mechanism. of selectively operable devices, pattern mechanism, selec-' mechanism, means operable from the driving means to operate said pawl, a pawl guard; and devices operable respectively by the pattern mechanism and the driving means and adapted, after the pattern mechanism has reached a predetermined point in its movement, to cooperate to move said guard into position to render said pawl inoperative to driw the ratchet and the pattern mechanism.

39. In a circular knitting machine, the combination with a needle cylinder and other mechanism adapted to cooperate with the needles during relative rotation or oscillation of the cylinder and mechanism, of selectively operable devices, pattern mechanism, selective means controlled by the pattern mechanism and operable thereby to selectively control the operation of said devices, driving means and mechanism operable Ill) therefrom to relatively rotate and oscillate the needle cylinder and cooperating mechanism, a pawl and ratchet adapted to operate said pattern mechanism, means operable from the driving means to operate said pawl,

a pawl guard, devices operable respectively by the pattern mechanism and the driving means adapted, after the pattern mechanism has reached a predetermined point in its movement. to cooperate to move. said guard into position to render said pawl inoperative to drive the ratchet and the pattern mechanism, and a subsequently operable second pawl adapted to restart the pattern mechanism, disengage said cooperating devices. and again render the first pawl operative to corn tinue the operation of the pattern chain.

40. In a circular knitting machine, the combination with a needle cylinder and other mechanism adapted to cooperate with the needles during relative rotation or os illation of the cylinder and mechanism, of sclertively operable devices. pattern mechanism, selective means controlled by the pattern mechanism and operablethereby to selectively control the operation of said devices, driving meansand mechanism operable therefrom to relatively rotate and oscillate the needle cylinder and cooperating mechanism, a pawl and ratchet adapted to operate the pattern mechanism, means operable from the driving means to operate said pawl, a pawl guard adapted to render the pawl inoperative, a shifter carried by said pattern mechanism, primary pattern mechanism operable from the driving means and comprising a cam. a lever operable from said cam and adapted to be moved thereby into position to be subsequently engaged by said shifter and thereby to be given a further movement to move said pawl guard into opcrat ivc position.

41. in a circular knitting machine. the combination with a needle cylinder and other mechanism adapted to cooperate with tho Htttllth during rclativc rotai ion or oscillation of the cylinder and mechanism. oi" sclccl'ivclv operable devices. pattern lllfl'llillllr-iil. selective means controlled by the pallcrn mechanism and operable thereby to selectively control the operation of said devices, driving means and mechanism operable therefrom to relatively rotate and oscillate the needle cylinder and cooperating mechanism. a pawl and ratchet adapted to operate the pattern mechanism, means operable trom the driving means to operate said pawl. a pawl guard adapted to render the pawl inoperative. a shifter carried by said pattern mechanism. primary pattern mechanism operable from the driving means and comprising a cam, a lever operable from said cam and adapted to be moved thereby into position to be subsequently engaged by said shifter and thcrcby to be given a further movement to move said pawl guard into operative position, a.

second pawl. operable from said lever and of the cylinder and mechanism. of selectively-operablc devices. pattern mechanism, selective means controlled by the pattern mechanism and operable thereby to selectively control the operation of said devices, driving means and mechanism operable therefrom to relatively rotate and oscillate the needle cylinder and ('OOPtltlllHQ mechanism, means operable from the driving means to impart an intermittent movement to said pattern mechanism. and stop mechanism opcr- 'able from the driving means to arrest the intermittent movement of the pattern mechanism in one change from rotation to oscillation and toarrcst the intermittent movement of the pattern mechanism in timed relation to another change from rotation to oscillation when said pattern mechanism reaches a predetermined point in its intermittent movemeat.

43. In a circular knitting machine, the combination with a needle cylinder and other mechanism adapted to cooperate with the needles during relative rotation or oscillation of the cylii'idcr and mechanism, of selectively operable devices, pattern mechanism, selective means controlled by the pattern mechanism and operable thereby to selcctively control the operation of said devices, driving means and mechanism operable therefrom to relatively rotate and oscillate the needle cylinder and cooperating mechanism. means operable from the driving means to impart an intermittent movement to said pattern mechanism. stop mechanism operable from the driving means to render said pattern mechanism operating means inoperat've in one change from rotation to oscillation and to render said pattern mechanism operating means inoperative in timed relation to another change from rotation to oscillation when said pattern mechanism reaches a predetermined point in its subsequent movement. said stop mechanism being rendered inoperative in timed relation to changes from oscillation to rotation.

44. In a circular knitting machine, the combination with a needle cylinder and other mechanism adapted to cooperate with the needles in the knitting operation. driving n'ieans and connections theret'rom adapted to alternately rotate and oscillate relatively to each other said cylinder. and its said cooperating mechanism and connections between the cylinder and mechanism, said mechanism including a plurality of elements, of a single selector movable into an operable position with relation to any one of said elements, a secondary pattern-device controlling the position of the selector, and a primary pattern devicecontrolling the operation of the secondarypattern device, the secondary pat tern device being removable and replaceable I by another sim lar secondary pattern device without stopping the machine while said cylinder and mechanism are relatively oscillated by the specified connections from the driving means. I

45. In a circular knitting maclnne, the combination\vitl a needle cylinder and other mechanism adapted to cooperate with the needles in the knitting operation, driving device controlling the operation of the secondary pattern device, the secondary pattern dev1ce belng removable and replaceable by another similar secondary pattern device without stopping the machine while said cylinder and mechanism are relatively oscillated by the specified connections from the driving means and means to arrest the movement of the sub-' st-itllted secondary pattern device and properly position-it for operation following the subsequent shift fromoscillation to rotation.

In testimony of which invention, I have hereunto set my hand, at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. on this 13th day of June, 1928.

' HAROLD E. HOUSEMAN. 

